How has advanced communication technology changed how we interact with the world? What was considered almost impossible a mere century ago is now a reality for most people on the planet, affecting how they form relationships, pursue their careers and stay safe throughout the year. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find the average individual without a cellphone, if not a tablet or laptop. Mass text messaging is a phenomenon that only continues to be deeply explored by engineers and scholars alike, with the benefits in direct proportion to the negative. If you’re curious about the effect of mass text messaging on your business or are curious how it has changed society from the inside out, continue reading to learn more.

Did You Know?

Let’s start off with some fun facts about mass text messaging throughout the country. Did you know over 80% of American adults text, easily making it the most common cell phone activity? Even checking e-mail and playing games doesn’t compare to simple communication. Over 90% of all text messages are read in under three minutes, with 80% of all people using text messaging primarily for business. Another 15% admitted more than half of their messages are for business purposes. Text messages are read on average in under five seconds or less, contributing to one of the most well-read generations the country has ever known.

Texting Benefits

It’s not hard to see the benefits of mass text messaging. Communication is easier than ever before, rendering problems of the past obsolete and catapulting the modern day into the future. Emergency mass notification systems have helped people avoid dangerous situations or destructive weather patterns at the mere press of a button, while employee alert systems are useful for spreading time-sensitive information throughout any given business. The year 2013 saw adult cell phone ownership in the United States reaching 91%, with an estimated 80% of cell phone users primarily using their devices for creating or sending text messages.

Texting Drawbacks

With any upside there’s a downside. Mass text messaging has raised many concerns in the United States for some of its negative impact on people’s behavior, ranging from distraction to criminal activity. Driving while texting is a national issue for its prevalence and devastating consequences — it only takes a split second to get into a car crash and many drivers find that split second taken up by checking text messages or texting while maneuvering their vehicle, putting themselves and other drivers at risk while on the open road. Awareness campaigns and new laws have risen in light of this relatively modern issue in an attempt to curb injury and damages.

Using Mass Text Messaging

So, we know the benefits and the drawbacks of mass text messaging. We’ve learned that it can be a significant boon to staying connected with one’s community and business, creating a flexibility that wasn’t available just a few decades ago. However, we’ve also seen how mass text messaging can create a distraction that can put others at risk. If you want to take advantage of this new form of technology for your business, consider investing in text message alerts or employee communications. This way you won’t run the risk of anyone down the ladder missing crucial information in a limited span of time, allowing everyone to stay on the same page with little to no effort. Texting is more than just a luxury — it’s the way of the future.